For Immediate Release
1st July 2025
Over 30 NGOs, Organisations, Groups and Associations join the appeal to invest in palliative care, not assisted suicide.
A growing chorus of voices across Malta are calling on the Government to prioritise compassionate, life-affirming palliative care over the legalisation of assisted suicide. A recent survey carried out by Misco International indicates that 70% of the Maltese population favours greater investment in palliative care services rather than the introduction of euthanasia.
Life Network Foundation’s Campaign – Link
The public sentiment echoes the unified stance of leading national organisations and experts. The Life Network Foundation, through its campaign “Oqtol l-uġigħ, mhux lili“, has urged the Government to uphold its commitment to improving palliative care, warning that euthanasia undermines the dignity of life and places vulnerable individuals at risk.
Dar tal-Providenza’s Concerns – Link
Dar tal-Providenza has expressed deep concern regarding the proposal to introduce assisted suicide. The organisation firmly believes that euthanasia undermines the principle of inclusion and solidarity, especially for individuals who courageously live with disabilities and other vulnerable persons in society. Such actions could potentially marginalise these groups further, rather than integrating and supporting them in their journey through life.
Hospice Malta’s Stance – Link
Hospice Malta has articulated a strong stance against euthanasia, emphasizing that the right response to human suffering is to ensure the quality of life, even during its final stages, rather than to shorten it. Hospice Malta has called for significant investment and strategic collaboration to expand the palliative care workforce. This includes ensuring the availability of services 24/7 across all care settings, providing necessary medications in the community without delays, developing educational programs for healthcare professionals and the general public, and working towards a more compassionate and inclusive society. Among these efforts, advance care planning should be promoted as part of the holistic care of patients. Hospice Malta asserts that supporting palliative care is the most ethical and humane way to care for those at the end of life, rather than introducing processes to end life.
Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability’s Concerns – Link
The Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability, which comprises 44 disability groups in Malta, has issued a statement expressing deep concern about the Government’s proposals for ‘voluntary assisted euthanasia’. The organisation highlights that the failures in supporting people with disabilities raise serious ethical questions. Are people choosing to die because society is failing to help them live? The organisation emphasizes that persons with disabilities deserve support to live and not merely a quiet permission to die.
Department of Disability Studies at The University of Malta’s Concerns – Link
The Department of Disability Studies at The University of Malta has also raised significant concerns regarding the proposed legislation, drawing from ethical, legal, and practical considerations. The department highlights the implications of this legislation for vulnerable populations, questions the adequacy of safeguards, and underscores the potential long-term consequences of cultural and systemic shifts.
Medical Association of Malta’s Concerns – Link
The Medical Association of Malta has expressed that the Government’s proposal risks undermining patient safety and public trust in the medical profession. The association has highlighted that in countries where assisted suicide or euthanasia has been introduced, there has been a decline in the quality of palliative care. The association emphasises that no patient should feel compelled to choose death due to inadequate symptom control or lack of support and calls for a national audit and urgent investment in community-based palliative care. The association, comprising approximately 1,380 doctors, medical professionals, has called on the Government to prioritise palliative care as a national health emergency.
University of Malta Academic Group’s Concerns – Link
A position paper from 135 academics at the University of Malta has highlighted that jurisdictions which have implemented physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia have experienced significant declines in the quality and scope of palliative care services. The academic group strongly urges responsible authorities to prioritize the development of comprehensive, robust, and excellent palliative care for all. This involves ensuring the availability of essential medications and investing in proactive suicide prevention strategies rather than introducing assisted suicide and euthanasia. They call for the full implementation of the National Palliative Care Strategy and broader education on palliative sedation and patient rights.
Our Appeal
This comprehensive stance against the introduction of assisted suicide and euthanasia in Malta is supported by a diverse range of organisations and professionals. Their collective voices call for a focus on improving palliative care, integrating and supporting vulnerable populations, and ensuring that ethical considerations remain at the forefront of any legislative changes. The consensus is clear: Malta must prioritise compassion, care, and life.
Together, with these voices, the following NGOs, Organisations, Communities, Groups and/or Associations join this appeal, representing a clear and compassionate consensus: Malta must invest in care, not killing. We urge policymakers to listen to the people, the professionals, and the principles that uphold the sanctity of life.
Azzjoni Kattolika
Caritas Malta
Catholic Charistmatic Renewal
Catholic Voices Malta
Christian Life Community (CLC) Malta
Church Schools Assocation (CSA)
Couples for Christ
Dar Hosea
Evangelical Alliance of Malta
Fondazzjoni Sebħ
Forum tal-Ghaqdiet
Forum tal-Ghaqdiet u Movimenti Kattolici tal-Lajci
Fraternita Sekulari Charles de Foucauld
JRS
Kamra ta’ L-Ispizjara ta’ Malta
Life Network Foundation
Malta Catholic Youth Network
Malta Unborn Child Platform
MFOPD Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability
Moviment ta’ Cana
Muslim Community in Malta.
OASI Foundation
Pietre Vive Malta
Segretarjat Assistenza Socjali (AKM)
Socjeta M.U.S.E.U.M Nisa
Socjeta M.U.S.E.U.M Rġiel
SOS Malta
The Evangelical Alliance of Malta
Żgħażagħ Sacro Cuor – Sliema
ENDS
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